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LEGO Unveils Working Model of Panama Canal

After celebrating its centennial two years ago and christening brand new locks in June, the Panama Canal is feting a new milestone–the arrival of a new set of locks made by Danish toymaker Lego.

The 1,184-piece Lego set is a working model of the new, wider set of locks with four sets of sliding gates and three lock chambers that lower ships to sea level.

Stop Motion Video of the New Panama Canal Lego Set

Source: Panama STEM Education, Inc.

Lorena Degracia, the founder of Panama STEM Education, approached the Lego Group’s education division with the idea of teaching children how the Panama Canal locks work.

The idea for a Panama Canal Lego set received enthusiastic support from the canal administrator Jorge Quijano himself, according to the local media. And the set bears the official Panama Canal logo.

“The idea was to create an educational set to bring the wonder that is the Panama Canal to all the children of Panama and the world,” Ms. Degracia was quoted as saying at a press conference unveiling the Lego set.

In partnership with Lego Education, Ms. Degracia’s company offers tools and classes for learning science, technology, engineering, and math to children of all ages.

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The idea was to create an educational set to bring the wonder that is the Panama Canal to all the children of Panama and the world.

What Comes in the Box of the Panama Canal Lego Set?

The Panama Canal Lego set includes four sets of sliding doors, three hand-cranked lock chambers, one operator, a cruise ship, an LNG tanker, a vehicle carrier, a container ship, and a grain bulk carrier.

Lego is manufacturing a total of 40,000 sets, all of which will be available only in Panama for US$250 each. At least one Lego enthusiast is predicting the limited edition will resell for at least double the initial price.

The sets go on sale in December at select Steven’s stores, PriceSmart membership warehouses, and at Panama STEM Education office, all in Panama.